Cecilia Rasmussen's "L.A. Then and Now" feature (Nov. 28) on the wonderful, lurid, interesting days of the old Herald-Express was right on. Not only did reporters make up quotes, but the artists actually painted in flames on buildings where fires has been extinguished! And the afternoon competition accelerated when the Mirror was founded in 1948 -- oh, would Aggie Underwood get furious if the upstart tabloid had a photo the Her-Ex did not. Cliff Dektar North Hollywood The era of Agness Underwood as city editor of the Los Angeles Herald-Express was a time to remember.

Harry Shearer's "Scents of Loss" (May 12) was fun and the type of writing I hope the magazine will encourage. Oh, you might add the scents from the old White King Soap Co. on East First Street. CLIFF DEKTAR North Hollywood

Re "During WWII, the City Braced for a Japanese Invasion," Nov. 3: Cecilia Rasmussen wrote an outstanding feature on Ft. MacArthur and its interesting history. One point of history not included was that the facility was a reception center during World War II. Thousands of men came there by Pacific Electric streetcar, cars and buses. They were efficiently processed, given serial numbers, uniforms and then shipped out for basic training at posts all over the U.S. The reception center was on the lower reservation, which is now a marina.

"L.A. Scene" by Cecilia Rasmussen (March 28), on railroad stations in Los Angeles, is one of the best ever. As Metrolink expands and rails become even more important to 21st Century travel in the region, a look back is important. What Rasmussen did not chronicle was that Southern Pacific tracks on Alameda Street in front of Union Station have been removed. These rails connected the Los Angeles & San Pedro Railroad to the SP's River Station and yards on North Main and now have been severed.

Re "During WWII, the City Braced for a Japanese Invasion," Nov. 3: Cecilia Rasmussen wrote an outstanding feature on Ft. MacArthur and its interesting history. One point of history not included was that the facility was a reception center during World War II. Thousands of men came there by Pacific Electric streetcar, cars and buses. They were efficiently processed, given serial numbers, uniforms and then shipped out for basic training at posts all over the U.S. The reception center was on the lower reservation, which is now a marina.

Cecilia Rasmussen's "L.A. Then and Now" feature (Nov. 28) on the wonderful, lurid, interesting days of the old Herald-Express was right on. Not only did reporters make up quotes, but the artists actually painted in flames on buildings where fires has been extinguished! And the afternoon competition accelerated when the Mirror was founded in 1948 -- oh, would Aggie Underwood get furious if the upstart tabloid had a photo the Her-Ex did not. Cliff Dektar North Hollywood The era of Agness Underwood as city editor of the Los Angeles Herald-Express was a time to remember.

I enjoyed Patt Morrison's delightful column on the Shakespeare Bridge and other bridges. Now perhaps she can get back on her motorcycle and tell us about the many tunnels, old and new, of Los Angeles. Cliff Dektar North Hollywood

"L.A. Scene" by Cecilia Rasmussen (March 28), on railroad stations in Los Angeles, is one of the best ever. As Metrolink expands and rails become even more important to 21st Century travel in the region, a look back is important. What Rasmussen did not chronicle was that Southern Pacific tracks on Alameda Street in front of Union Station have been removed. These rails connected the Los Angeles & San Pedro Railroad to the SP's River Station and yards on North Main and now have been severed.

Harry Shearer's "Scents of Loss" (May 12) was fun and the type of writing I hope the magazine will encourage. Oh, you might add the scents from the old White King Soap Co. on East First Street. CLIFF DEKTAR North Hollywood

There is only one statue on campus at USC -- that of Tommy Trojan. After reading Ross Newhan's fabulous column (Feb. 14) on the life and times of Rod Dedeaux, the university should consider erecting a statue to this outstanding person who has contributed nearly 70 years of his long life to USC baseball. Cliff Dektar North Hollywood

Your story on the Hollywood and downtown tour buses ("L.A.'s Topless Tour," Nov. 2) brought me back to the 1940s when I rode the Wilshire bus (with open top deck) from John Burroughs Junior High School to Alvarado to see my orthodontist. Riding the bus open to the heavens was a delight. Cliff Dektar North Hollywood